16-week closure of Glasgow suburban line announced as part of electrification project

A stretch of a Glasgow suburban line will be closed for 16 weeks next year as part of a £140 million electrification project.

Engineers are electrifying the line from East Kilbride to Glasgow, which is due to be completed in December 2025.

From January 25 until May 18, trains will not run between East Killbride and Thornliebank while work is carried out to the track, bridges and overhead line equipment.

22km (13.6 miles) of overhead power cables will also be installed, while the double track between East Kilbride and Hairmyres will also be lengthened.

Track will also be lowered near Busby, Clarkston and Giffnock stations so overhead line equipment can fit under bridges.

Gerry McQuade, Network Rail capital delivery director, described the work as a “critical point” of the project.

“Closing the railway is never an easy decision, but the engineering work taking place over these 16 weeks can only be done when no trains are running. This approach allows the completion of these major works in the most efficient, fastest way,” he said.

Once open, the new line will also have a new stations at East Kilbride and Hairmyres, along with a new entrance at Clarkston and new footbridges at Busby and Giffnock.